Page 107 of Just One Season
“Okay,” I laugh. “Don’t let me fall.”
Kellen pulls me gently, and I’m impressed (but not surprised) by his ability to skate backwards.
We’re laughing the whole time, and when we get done with a full lap, I tell him I need a break, then point to the side.
“Can we sit there?”
“Sure.” Kellen grabs my hand and drags me to the penalty box—too quickly, and I see my life flash before my eyes—and pulls me onto hislap on the bench.
He kisses me deeply and lays a hand on the outside of my thigh.
“This is a lot more fun than when I’m normally in here,” he says against my mouth, and I smile and keep kissing him.
Sometimes I wish we could be a normal couple. The secrecy is making us get creative about spending time together. Kellen teaching me how to skate is certainly more memorable than watching a movie.
I’m afraid it’s making me fall even deeper in love with him.
And I get it. His family comes first. I’m a temporary person in his life. In Ava’s life. As much as my heart twinges when I think about walking away from Kellen, Ava, MBM, my brother.
That secret—the one where I love him—will stay locked inside me forever. I won’t tell Raleigh or January or my mom or Atticus or anyone.
And especially not Kellen.
CHAPTER 30
(Not Really) Sneaking Around
KELLEN
Saturday, December 14
“So you listened to me,” Bri says.
We’re standing at her kitchen counter. I’m chopping up a cucumber, and she’s peeking in on the crockpot mac and cheese we made for a house full of Ava’s friends, here for her sixth birthday party.
“What do you mean? I often block you out, so you’ll have to be specific.”
But I’m sure I know where this is going.
She puts her hands on her hips.
“Three weeks ago. We talked at the KFDPC meeting. About Lucy. Who was your fake girlfriend.”
“Is? Is.”
“See? That’s what I’m talking about. Do you still not know what’s going on?”
I don’t make eye contact.Slice, slice, slice.
“Lucy’s here, at our daughter’s birthday party. Ava adores her. Ava’s friends adore her. I even like her, which is unexpected.”
I stop cutting and look up. “I don’t see what the big deal is.”
“Kellen.” Bri rubs her forehead. “Lucy gave Ava her favorite birthday present.”
“The stuffed dog that looks like Mister Barky McBarkface?”
“Yeah. That one.”
